Which country first gave women the vote?

New Zealand, in September 1893, was the first self-governing country to grant women the parliamentary vote.

Who led the campaign?

Kate Sheppard and the Women's Christian Temperance Union, whose petition carried nearly 32,000 signatures.

Did women vote immediately?

Yes. They voted in the general election of November 1893, with turnout above eighty per cent.

September 19, 1893

1893-09-19 12:00 UTC

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New Zealand gives women the vote

The Electoral Act receives royal assent, making New Zealand the first self-governing country with universal women's suffrage.

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What happened in this minute

A petition organised by Kate Sheppard and the Women's Christian Temperance Union gathered nearly 32,000 signatures, close to a quarter of the adult women in the country, and was rolled across the floor of parliament.

Governor Glasgow signed the Electoral Act on 19 September 1893, and women voted in the general election ten weeks later at a turnout above eighty per cent.

Other countries followed slowly: Australia in 1902, Finland in 1906, the United Kingdom in stages from 1918.

Questions and answers

Which country first gave women the vote?: New Zealand, in September 1893, was the first self-governing country to grant women the parliamentary vote.
Who led the campaign?: Kate Sheppard and the Women's Christian Temperance Union, whose petition carried nearly 32,000 signatures.
Did women vote immediately?: Yes. They voted in the general election of November 1893, with turnout above eighty per cent.